Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostomwicked into hell; and often when not betrayed by his own conduct, he perishes by yours, if he havenot rightly performed all his part. Knowing therefore the greatness of the danger, give them a largeshare of your goodwill; which Paul also implied when he said, “For they watch for your souls,”and not simply so, but, “as they that shall give account.” ( Heb. xiii. 17 .) They ought thereforeto receive great attention from you; but if you join with the rest in trampling upon them, then neithershall your affairs be in a good condition. For while the steersman continues in good courage, thecrew also will be in safety; but if he be tired out by their reviling him and showing ill-will againsthim, he cannot watch equally well, or retain his skill, and without intending it, throws them intoten thousand mischiefs. And so too the priest, if he enjoy honor 2568 from you, will be able well toorder your affairs; but if ye throw them into despondency, ye weaken their hands, and render them,as well as yourselves, an easy prey to the waves, although they be very courageous. Consider whatChrist saith concerning the Jews. “The Scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; all thereforewhatsoever they bid 2569 you to do, do ye.” ( Matt. xxiii. 2, 3 .) Now we have not to say, “the priestssit on Moses’ seat,” but “on that of Christ”; for they have successively received His doctrine.Wherefore also Paul saith, “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us.”( 2 Cor. v. 20 .) See ye not that in the case of Gentile rulers, all bow to them, and oftentimes evenpersons superior in family, in life, in intelligence, to those who judge them? yet still because ofhim who hath given them, they consider none of these things, but respect the decision of theirgovernor, whosoever he be that receives the rule over them. Is there then such fear when manappoints, but when God appointeth do we despise him who is appointed, and abuse him, andbesmirch him with ten thousand reproaches, and though forbidden to judge our brethren, do wesharpen our tongue against our priests? And how can this deserve excuse, when we see not thebeam in our own eye, but are bitterly over-curious about the mote in another’s? Knowest thou notthat by so judging thou makest thine own judgment the harder? And this I say not as approving ofthose who exercise their priesthood unworthily, but as greatly pitying and weeping for them; yetdo I not on this account allow that it is right that they should be judged by those over whom theyare set. 2570 And although their life be very much spoken against, thou, if thou take heed to thyself,wilt not be harmed at all 2571 in respect of the things committed to them 2572 by God. For if He causeda voice to be uttered by an ass, and bestowed spiritual blessings by a diviner, working by the foolishmouth and impure tongue of Balaam, in behalf of the offending Jews, much more for the sake ofyou the right-minded 2573 will He, though the priests be exceedingly vile, work all the things thatare His, and will send the Holy Ghost. For neither doth the pure draw down that Spirit by his ownpurity, but it is grace that worketh all. “For all,” it saith, “is for your sake, 2574 whether it be Paul,or Apollos, or Cephas.” ( 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23 .) For the things which are placed in the hands of thepriest it is with God alone to give; and however far human wisdom may reach, it will appear inferiorto that grace. And this I say, not in order that we may order our own life carelessly, but that whensome of those set over you are careless livers, you the ruled may not often heap up evil for2568al. “ attention. ”2569“ bid you observe, that observe and do, ” N.T.2570Sav. adds in brackets, “ and especially by those altogether the simplest. ” The words found in some mss.2571al. “ not even be harmed a little. ”2572Sav. “ to him. ”2573al. “ ill-minded, ” or, “ ungrateful. ”2574“ is yours, ” N.T.488